2 missing Nassau boaters found safe in disabled boat

Jim Schoettler

Monday

Mar 28, 2011 at 5:30 AM

Two Nassau County boaters missing since last night were spotted safe this morning by a helicopter crew, authorities said.

Steve Strout, 63, and Alex Harner, 13, were spotted waving their arms from their disabled boat about 8:15 a.m. in Thomas Creek, about four miles from where they launched, said Christopher Evanson, a Coast Guard spokesman.

The Sheriff's Office said the boy was driving the boat and got it stuck in the marsh grass.

The pair were reported missing about 7:45 p.m. Sunday after they did not return from a fishing outing. A helicopter from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission spotted them aboard their white Ranger bass boat, which had departed from the Edwards Road Boat Ramp near Plummer Creek in Yulee.

Searchers from the Coast Guard and the Nassau County Sheriff's Office also hunted for the two. The search was called off last night due to fog and other circumstances. It resumed after dawn today, Evanson said.

Evanson said the boaters had a cell phone, but it died. He said the boat was not equipped with the proper emergency equipment, including a safety beacon and a communications radio.

"Although we're thankful they were found alive, this could have been worse," Evanson said. "These pieces of equipment exist for a reason: to save lives."

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